Electrical device cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for electrical devices is disclosed. Particular implementations include an electrical device cover configured to mount over an electrical device includes a lid having a flexible membrane. The lid is coupled by a hinge to a base and the cover includes a cord port in an edge of a surface of the cover. The lid is configured to expand through the flexible membrane to an expanded position to accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electrical device. The lid may also be configured to reduce in depth as the lid retracts from the expanded position to a refracted position through the flexible membrane.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document is a continuation-in-part application of the earlier U.S.Utility Patent Application to Shotey et al. entitled “Electrical DeviceCover,” application Ser. No. 11/780,839, filed Jul. 20, 2007, whichissues as U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,163 on Nov. 17, 2009, which application isa continuation-in-part application of the earlier U.S. Utility PatentApplication to Shotey et al. entitled “Electrical Device Cover,”application Ser. No. 11/557,580, filed Nov. 8, 2006, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,381,894 on Jun. 3, 2008, which claimed the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/734,858,entitled “Flexible Outlet Cover” to Baldwin filed on Nov. 8, 2005, andthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application60/825,254, entitled “Collapsible In-Use Cover” to Shotey et al. filedon Sep. 11, 2006 and is also a continuation-in-part application of theearlier U.S. Utility Patent Application to Maltby et al. entitled“Expandable In-Use Outlet Cover,” application Ser. No. 11/422,583, filedJun. 6, 2006, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,996 on Jul. 8, 2008,the disclosures of which are each hereby incorporated herein byreference.

This document claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application to Shotey et al. entitled “Low Profile Cover Window,”application Ser. No. 61/252,845, filed on Oct. 19, 2009, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to covers for electricaldevices.

2. Background Art

Electrical devices are prone to exposure to water and other contaminantswhen mounted in locations such as exterior walls. Many different coverdesigns seek to shield the devices from weather-related contaminantswhile electrical connectors are or are not coupled with the devices.These cover designs are generally called “while-in-use” covers. Examplesof typical electrical devices include receptacles, switches, andcommunication ports. Typical while-in-use cover designs include a baseconnected to a lid by a hinge.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this invention relate to covers capable of expansion andretraction for electrical devices.

In one aspect, an electrical device cover configured for mounting overan electrical device may comprise a base comprising an opening largeenough to receive the electrical device, a lid comprising a lid face,and a flexible element coupled between the lid face and the base,wherein the flexible element comprises an expanded position where amajority of the flexible element is configured to extend beyond the baseand accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electricaldevice with the lid is closed on the base.

In particular implementations one or more of the following may beincluded. The lid face in any implementation may further comprise atransparent or translucent window. The window may be flexible. The basemay further comprise a base ring, the lid face hingedly coupled to thebase ring and the flexible element coupled between the base and the basering. The lid may further comprise a lid ring, the lid ring hingedlycoupled to the base and the flexible element coupled between the lidface and the lid ring. A first end of the flexible element and the lidface window may both be coupled to the lid face by heat staking. The lidmay further comprise a lid face ring where the lid face window isimmediately adjacent the flexible element and the lid face ring is on anopposing side of the flexible element and the heat staking of the lidface and the flexible element also includes heat staking of the lid facering. The lid may be hingedly coupled to the base by a hinge biased to aclosed position. The cover may further comprise a cord port at a cornerof the electrical device cover between the lid and the base.

According to another aspect, an electrical device cover configured formounting over an electrical device may comprise: a lid comprising asubstantially rigid lid face comprising a transparent or translucentwindow, a flexible element coupled to the lid face at a first end of theflexible element, a lid ring coupled to a second end of the flexibleelement, the lid ring movably coupled by a hinge to a base, and a cordport in a corner of a surface of the cover, wherein the flexible elementis configured to expand to an expanded position and accommodate anelectrical connector coupled with the electrical device with the lidclosed over the base.

In particular implementations, one or more of the following may beincluded. The first end of the flexible element and the lid face windowmay both be coupled to the lid face by heat staking. The lid face windowmay be immediately adjacent the flexible element and the lid face ringmay be on an opposing side of the flexible element and the heat stakingof the lid face and the flexible element may also include heat stakingof the lid face ring. The lid may be hingedly coupled to the base by ahinge biased to a closed position. The window may be flexible.

According to yet another aspect, an electrical device cover configuredfor mounting over an electrical device may comprise: a base comprisingan opening large enough to receive the electrical device, a lidcomprising a transparent or translucent window, a flexible elementcoupled to the lid and the base, and a cord port in a corner of asurface of the cover between the lid and the base, wherein the flexibleelement is configured to expand to an expanded position and accommodatean electrical connector coupled with the electrical device with the lidclosed over the base.

Particular implementations may include one or more of the following. Thelid may comprise a lid ring hingedly coupled to the base, the flexibleelement coupled to the lid ring and a lid face, and the expansion of theflexible element may cause the lid face to expand away from the lidring. The lid face window may be immediately adjacent the flexibleelement and a lid face ring may be on an opposing side of the flexibleelement and the lid face window, the lid face, the flexible element andthe lid face ring may be all heat staked together.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cross sectional view of an electrical devicecover closed over an electrical connector in an expanded position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical device cover closed overthe base in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of an electrical device cover in anexpanded position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical device cover includingpleats in an expanded position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electrical device cover includingpleats in a retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electrical device cover including ahard front face in an expanded position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electrical device cover of FIG. 6 isa retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a lid of an electrical device cover showing thesectional line A;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a particular implementation of a lidfor an electrical device cover along the sectional line A;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of another particular implementationof a lid for an electrical device cover along the sectional line A;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a portion of a lid for an electrical devicecover showing the shape of the pleat peaks and pleat valleys;

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of a particular implementation of anelectrical device cover including flange shaped pleats;

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of an electrical device cover showing achannel for a cord port angled toward the base;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a lid for an electrical device cover showingthe sectional line B;

FIG. 15 is a cross section view of a lid for an electrical device coveralong the sectional line B;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an electrical device cover with a basering with the lid partially open

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an electrical device cover with alid ring coupled to a flexible member showing the sectional line C;

FIG. 18 is a cross section view of the intersection of a flexible membercoupled to the lid ring along the sectional line C;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a particular implementation of alid ring;

FIG. 20 is a blown-apart perspective view of a particular implementationof an electrical device cover;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the lid with the lid window ofthe electrical device cover of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the lid of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 21 taken alongsection line A-A of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a rear view of the lid of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the lid of FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended electrical device cover and/or assemblyprocedures for an electrical device cover will become apparent for usewith implementations of electrical device covers from this disclosure.Accordingly, for example, although particular bases, lids, and cordports are disclosed, such bases, lids, cord ports and implementingcomponents may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version,measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as isknown in the art for such bases, lids, cord ports and implementingcomponents, consistent with the intended operation of an electricaldevice cover.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a particular implementation of anelectrical device cover 2. The cover 2 may include a lid 4 whichincludes a lid ring 8 to which a flexible element 6 is coupled along theperimeter 10 of the lid ring 8. The lid 4 may be coupled to a base 14through a hinge 12 and may include a cord port 16 in an edge of asurface of the cover 2. As illustrated, the cover 2 is mounted over anelectrical device 22 and an electrical connector 20 is inserted into theelectrical device 22. The flexible element 6 of the lid 4 illustrated inFIG. 1 is in an expanded position to accommodate the electricalconnector 20 and when in the expanded position, may continuously enclosethe electrical connector 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates the particular implementation of the electricaldevice cover 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 when the flexible element 6 is in aretracted position and the electrical connector 20 has been removed fromthe electrical device 22. In the implementation illustrated in FIG. 2,the lid ring 8 may include a top edge 24. When the flexible element 6 isin the retracted position, a majority of the flexible element 6 may beat or below a plane substantially parallel with the top edge 24. Theability of the lid 4 to expand and retract permits the electrical devicecover 2 to increase or decrease in depth when the cover is in-use andnot in use, respectively. This capability of the electrical device cover2 allows it to operate as both a low profile cover (a cover of limitedthickness) and a while-in-use cover. In the particular implementationillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover, when in the low profileconfiguration, may range in depth from about 0.8 inches to about 1.75inches. In other particular implementations of electrical device coversoperating as low profile covers, the cover may be able to retract to aposition about one-eighth to about three-quarters of its original depthwhen the cover is in the expanded position.

In FIG. 3, a particular implementation of an electrical device cover 13is illustrated where the lid 27 has a flexible element 28 and a frontface 29. The front face 29 may also include a hard element 30 designedto resist expansion of the lid 27 when an electrical connector 20 isinserted into the electrical device 22 and the lid 27 is closed. Asillustrated, the hard element 30 limits some of the expansion of theflexible element 28, but still allows the lid 27 to accommodate theelectrical connector 20 when closed.

Referring to FIG. 4, another particular implementation of an electricaldevice cover 3 is illustrated in an expanded position. In thisparticular implementation, the flexible element 32 includes at least onepleat 34 to allow the expansion of the lid 33 as it is closed. FIG. 5illustrates the electrical device cover 3 shown in FIG. 4 in theretracted position. One example of a collapsible plastic flexibleelement may be found in the Rubbermaid® Collaspible® food storagecontainers currently available on the market and described atRubbermaid.com. Similar construction, among many other types ofconstruction, may be used to form a flexible element as described withreference to FIG. 4 including a form of pleats that enables thestructure to remain in a collapsed position on its own. Those familiarwith plastics manufacture will understand how to manufacture a flexiblemember having pleats as described in the various configurations hereinfrom this description and reference to the Rubbermaid® Collaspible® foodstorage containers.

FIG. 6 illustrates another particular implementation of an electricaldevice cover 39 in the expanded position. As illustrated, the flexibleelement 36 may be coupled with a front face 38 which may be a hardelement. The front face 38 may also include a latching notch 40 along anedge configured to engage with a latching projection 42 on the lid ring41. FIG. 7 illustrates the electrical device cover 39 in the retractedposition with the latching notch 40 on the front face 38 engaged withthe latching projection 42.

Referring to FIG. 8, a top view of another particular implementation ofa lid 5 is illustrated showing the sectional line A. FIG. 9 illustratesa cross section view of a particular implementation of a lid 5 along thesectional line A. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid 5 includes aflexible element 43 that may include pleat structure formed by a pleatpeak 44 between two peak valleys 46. In the particular implementationillustrated in FIG. 9, the pleat peak 44 is centered between the twopeak valleys 46 and allows the lid face 48 to freely expand and contractbetween the expanded and retracted positions. FIG. 10 illustrates across section view similar to that of FIG. 9 taken along a similarsection line of another particular implementation of a lid 15. Thefigure illustrates that in particular implementations, the pleat peak 44may be aligned off-center between the pleat valleys 46 toward the lidface 48. This orientation of the pleat peak 44 may allow the lid 15 tobe retained at the retracted position by forces provided throughinducing the unequal curvature in the flexible element 43 on each sideof the pleat peak 44 and the pleat valleys 46. To move the lid 15 to theextended position, the forces may be overcome by pulling the lid 15outward with the lid face 48.

Various other designs for pleat peaks 44 and pleat valleys 46 may beincluded in particular implementations of an electrical device cover.For example, FIG. 11 illustrates a flexible element 45 that includes apleat peak 44 and pleat valleys 46 that are flattened rather thanangled. FIG. 12 illustrates a particular implementation of an electricaldevice cover 7 that includes pleat peak 50 quite substantially biasedtoward the lid face 48, forming a pleat structure that is flange shaped.In alternate implementations, the pleat valleys may be biased toward oraway the lid face. While in the implementations illustrated, the pleatstructures included in the flexible element have been of a single type,particular implementations may include any type or combination of typesof pleat structures.

FIG. 14 illustrates another particular implementation of a lid 9 for anelectrical device cover. FIG. 15 illustrates a cross section of the lid9 shown in FIG. 14 along sectional line B. The flexible element 58illustrated in FIG. 15 may include a flexible sheath 60 that runs alongthe inner surface 62 of a plurality of interlocking rings 64. Theflexible sheath 60 may be coupled to all or a portion of the innersurface 62 of the interlocking rings 64 by adhesives, and the like, ormay be free-standing. The interlocking rings 64 couple the lid face 68with a lid ring 66. The flexible sheath 60 resists water and othercontaminants from penetrating to the interior of the lid 9 through theinterstices of the interlocking rings while the lid 9 is closed over anelectrical connector. Like the other implementations discussed in thisdocument, the flexible element 58 and the interlocking rings 64 permitthe lid 5 to move both to an extended position and a retracted positiondepending on whether the a low profile or while-in-use application forthe cover is desired.

FIG. 16 illustrates another particular implementation of an electricaldevice cover 11. As illustrated, the electrical device cover 11 mayinclude a base 70 that may have a flexible element 72 coupled to thebase 70 around a majority of the base's 70 perimeter 71. A base ring 74may be coupled to the flexible element 72, and a lid 76 may be movablycoupled with the base ring 74 through a hinge 78. When the lid 76 isclosed over the base 70, the flexible element 72 may be expanded to theexpanded position to continuously enclose an electrical connectorinserted into an electrical device 80 covered by the base 70. Similar tothe other particular implementations disclosed in this document, thecover 11 can also be moved to the retracted position through theflexible element 72 coupled with the base 70.

The particular implementations disclosed in this document include cordports in an edge of a surface of the electrical device cover. Forexample, the particular implementation shown in FIG. 1 includes a cordport 16 a surface of the lid 4. FIG. 13 illustrates a particularimplementation of a cord port 54 that includes a channel 56 angledtoward the base 52 of an electrical device cover similar to theimplementation illustrated in FIG. 6. While the implementation shown inFIG. 13 has a channel 56 in the base 52, other particularimplementations may have the channel in the lid 53 or in both the base52 and the lid 53. Also, particular implementations of a cord port mayinclude apertures that may be open or may be closed by a barrierintended to resist the ingress of water or other contaminants into thecover through the cord port. In addition, particular implementations ofan electrical device cover may include a cord port that may be closed bya removable tab in the base 52, the lid 53, or both the base 52 and thelid 53. Removal of the removable tab by the user opens the apertures ofthe cord port and prepares them for use. Particular implementations ofelectrical device covers may also include a plurality of the cord portsdescribed.

Particular implementations of an electrical device cover may also beconfigured to mount vertically or horizontally. This may involve the useof base and lid hinge members on adjacent sides such as that shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,831 to Shotey et al., the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference, a later version ofhorizontal and vertical hingeable cover known in the art, or even acorner hinge member such as that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.6,133,531 to Hayduke et al., the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. There are presently many possiblehinge variations known in the art that permit horizontal and verticalmounting of electrical device covers all of which would be applicablehere.

In addition, particular implementations of an electrical device covermay include a base that has at least one removable tab and may alsoinclude an adapter plate which may have one removable tab. Removal ofthe tabs in the base and/or the adapter plate may allow the cover to beconfigured for use with a first electrical device or converted to beconfigured for use with a different second electrical device. Relevantteachings regarding the structure and manufacture of electrical devicecovers with removable tabs in the base and in an adapter plate are foundin U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,453 to Shotey, et al., the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 17, a particular implementation of a lid 82 isillustrated, showing the sectional line C. As illustrated, the lid 82may include a lid face 84 coupled to a first end 85 of the flexibleelement 86 and a lid ring 88 coupled to a second end 87 of the flexibleelement 86. The flexible element 86 may include a plurality of lid facemounting apertures 90 therethrough disposed along a perimeter of thefirst end 85. Implementations of a lid 82 may also include a retainingring 92 having a plurality of retaining holes 94 corresponding to theplurality of lid face mounting apertures 90 on the perimeter of thefirst end 85 of the flexible element 86. A plurality of retainingprojections 96 on the lid face 84 may extend through the retaining holes94 and lid face mounting apertures 90. In particular implementations, aheat staking process may be used to melt the ends of the retainingprojections 96 to prevent the removal of the retaining projections 96through the retaining holes 94 and the lid face mounting apertures 90.In other particular implementations, no retaining ring 92 may be used,and a heat staking process may be used to couple the retainingprojections 96 over the lid face mounting apertures 90 in the perimeterof the first end 85 of the flexible element 86. In other particularimplementations, no retaining projections 96 or lid face mountingapertures 90 may be used; rather (or in addition to the retainingprojections 96) the first end 85 of the flexible element 86 may becoupled with the lid face 84 through use of friction force, glue,adhesive, double sided tape or Velcro®.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, a cross section view of the second end 87of the flexible element 86 coupled with the lid ring 88 is illustrated.The second end 87 of the flexible element 86 may include a lid ringmounting pleat 98 extending around the majority of a perimeter of thesecond end 87. The lid ring mounting pleat 98 may be inserted over aplurality of mounting prongs 106 that extend inwardly from a perimeterof the lid ring 88 (see FIG. 19 for the position of the mounting prongs106 in a particular implementation of a lid ring 104). In otherparticular implementations, the lid ring mounting pleat 98 may beinserted over a continuous ridge 100 that extends along a majority ofthe perimeter of the lid ring 88 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). The continuousridge 100 may extend along the entire perimeter of the lid ring 88, mayextend along only a portion, or may extend only in sections along theperimeter of the lid ring 88. The perimeter of the lid ring 88 referredto may be either the outer or inner perimeter of the lid ring 88. Inparticular implementations of a lid 82, the lid ring mounting pleat 98may be held to the continuous ridge 100 through, by non-limitingexample, friction force, glue, adhesive, double-sided tape, or Velcro®.In other particular implementations, the lid 82 may further, oralternatively, include a retainer ring 102 coupled along a majority ofthe perimeter of the lid ring 88 that is shaped to substantially coverthe portion of the lid ring mounting pleat 98 that extends over thecontinuous ridge 100 (FIGS. 17 and 18) or mounting prongs 106 (FIG. 19).The retainer ring 102 may be coupled over the lid ring 88 after the lidring mounting pleat 98 has been coupled over the continuous ridge 100 ormounting prongs 106. The retaining ring 102 may be coupled to the lidring 88 through, by non-limiting example, glue, adhesive, heat stakes orother common techniques used to couple two parts together. In particularimplementations, the retaining ring 102 may be coupled to the lid ring88 through a sonic welding process, which allows the retaining ring 102,which may be composed of a plastic material, to be coupled to the lidring 88, which may also be a plastic material, without being coupled tothe flexible element 86 in the process, which may be formed of a rubbermaterial.

Referring to FIGS. 20-25, another particular implementation of anelectrical outlet cover 120 is illustrated. FIG. 20 illustrates all ofthe components separated to show them more clearly, and FIGS. 21-25illustrate the lid 121 components assembled to show how they worktogether. The electrical outlet cover 120 comprises a base 122comprising a biasing spring 124 and hinge pin 125 which operativelyengage with the lid ring 126 to form a self-closing cover 120 that isbiased into the closed position whether mounted horizontally orvertically and includes a corner cord port 128. The cover 120 furthercomprises a flexible element 130, that couples to the lid ring 126 at asecond end 129 as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, through a retainingring 132 sonically welded to the lid ring 126. The lid face 134 of thisparticular implementation comprises a lid face window 136 comprising atransparent or translucent plastic material in its center and is coupledto the lid face 134.

Although this particular implementation illustrates the lid face window136 coupled through heat stakes 138 extending through the periphery 137of the lid face window 136, through a first end 131 of the flexibleelement 130 that couples the lid face 134 to the lid ring 126, andthrough a lid face retaining ring 140, the lid face window 136 may becoupled to the lid face 134 in any other way known in the art includingsimply by sonic or heat welding, friction force (compression), adhesive,or any other method known in the art or described herein. Although theillustrations of FIGS. 20-25 illustrate the heat stakes 138 prior tobeing “heat staked,” it will be understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art that during the assembly process, when assembled as shown inFIGS. 24 and 25, the heat stakes 138 are each squashed with a heatedprod that causes the end of the heat stakes 138 to mushroom over theopening and securely fasten the lid face retaining ring 140 to the lidface and hold each of the flexible element 130 and window that arebetween them. Thus, the flexible element 130 is coupled between the lidface 134 and the base 122, through the lid ring 126, and allows the lidto close on the base 122 while an electrical plug is plugged into theelectrical outlet.

The benefit of the lid face window 136 in the lid face 134 is not onlyattained through how it is coupled to the lid face, but in the existenceof the lid face window 136 in the expandable lid face 134. Through theuse of a lid face 134, a user approaching the outlet can know withoutopening the cover 120 what type of electrical outlet or switch or otherdevice is mounted within the electrical box with which the cover 120 isassociated, what the status of the outlet (e.g. if it is a ground faultcurrent interruption outlet if it has been tripped) or switch (on or offor some other position) or other device is in, and if it is an outletwhat electrical device, if any, is plugged into the outlet. Although theparticular implementations of FIGS. 20-25 show an opaque ornon-see-through lid face 134 surrounding a transparent or translucentlid face window 136, it should be understood that the lid face window136 may fill the entire space of the lid face 134 such that the lid face134 is entirely made of transparent or translucent material and isitself the lid face window 136. Expanding and collapsing of the lid 121is accomplished the same as with the implementation shown in FIGS. 6 and7, and 17 and 18.

The use of a lid face window 136 may be used in any of the otherparticular implementations shown and described throughout thisdisclosure as well. Particularly, the implementations shown with soft ormalleable lid faces may be formed with a transparent or translucentflexible or hard material in place of all or a portion of the frontsurface. The implementations shown with a hard lid face may be formedwith a transparent or translucent flexible or hard material in place ofall or a portion of the lid face. The particular size and/or shape ofthe lid face window is not crucial to the operation either, so long asan observer can see to some degree through the lid face to somethingwithin the cover. For the specific implementation of FIG. 16, inclusionof a lid face window 136 (FIG. 21) within the lid face 76 of thatimplementation may be accomplished using adhesive around the edge of thelid face or heat stakes as with the particular implementation shown inFIG. 21. This would result in a flexible element 72 coupled between thebase 70 and the lid face 76 to allow the lid to be closed when anelectrical plug is plugged into the electrical outlet 80.

The components included in a particular implementation of an electricaldevice cover may be formed of any of many different types of materialsor combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objects and thatare consistent with the intended operation of an electrical devicecover. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (syntheticand/or natural) and/or other like materials; polymers and/or other likematerials; plastics, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals and/or other like materials; alloys and/orother like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, the base, lid, flexible element and any other componentsforming a particular implementation of an electrical device cover may bemanufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all ofthe components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joinedwith one another. Manufacture of these components separately orsimultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming,injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting,forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding,stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting,punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components aremanufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupledwith one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, afastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example,depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s)forming the components. For the exemplary purposes of this disclosure,the lid face may be formed of a PVC material and coupled to the firstend of the flexible element through a heat staking process. The flexibleelement may be formed of a rubber material and may be coupled to the lidring that may be formed of a PVC material through a retainer ring thatmay be formed of a PVC material by sonic welding of the retaining ringto the lid ring.

It will be understood that implementations are not limited to thespecific components disclosed herein, as virtually any componentsconsistent with the intended operation of a method and/or systemimplementation for an electrical device cover may be utilized.Accordingly, for example, although particular bases, lids, and cordports may be disclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size,style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration,material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intendedoperation of a method and/or system implementation for an electricaldevice cover may be used.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of an electrical device cover, it should be readilyapparent that a number of modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied toother electrical device covers. The accompanying claims are intended tocover such modifications as would fall within the true spirit and scopeof the disclosure set forth in this document. The presently disclosedimplementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure beingindicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency ofthe claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An electrical device cover configured for mounting over an electrical device, the electrical device cover comprising: a base comprising an opening large enough to receive the electrical device; a lid comprising a lid face; and a flexible element coupled between the lid face and the base; wherein the flexible element comprises an expanded position where a majority of the flexible element is configured to extend beyond the base and accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electrical device with the lid is closed on the base, and a retracted position where at least a majority of the flexible element is configured to reside within the base.
 2. The electrical device cover of claim 1, the lid face further comprising a transparent or translucent window.
 3. The electrical device cover of claim 2, wherein the window is flexible.
 4. The electrical device cover of claim 1, the base further comprising a base ring, the lid face hingedly coupled to the base ring and the flexible element coupled between the base and the base ring.
 5. The electrical device cover of claim 4, the lid face further comprising a transparent or translucent window therein.
 6. The electrical device cover of claim 1, the lid further comprising a lid ring, the lid ring hingedly coupled to the base and the flexible element coupled between the lid face and the lid ring.
 7. The electrical device cover of claim 6, the lid face further comprising a transparent or translucent window therein.
 8. The electrical device cover of claim 7, wherein a first end of the flexible element and the window are both coupled to the lid face by heat staking.
 9. The electrical device cover of claim 8, the lid further comprising a lid ring, wherein the window is immediately adjacent the flexible element and the lid ring is on an opposing side of the flexible element and the heat staking of the lid face and the flexible element also includes heat staking of the lid ring.
 10. The electrical device cover of claim 1, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to the base by a hinge biased to a closed position.
 11. The electrical device cover of claim 10, further comprising a cord port at a corner of the electrical device cover between the lid and the base.
 12. The electrical device cover of claim 1, further comprising a cord port at a corner of the electrical device cover between the lid and the base.
 13. An electrical device cover configured for mounting over an electrical device, the electrical device cover comprising: a lid comprising a substantially rigid lid face comprising a transparent or translucent window; a flexible element coupled to the lid face at a first end of the flexible element; a lid ring coupled to a second end of the flexible element, the lid ring movably coupled by a hinge to a base; and a cord port in a corner of a surface of the cover; wherein the flexible element is configured to expand to an expanded position and accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electrical device with the lid closed over the base, and to retract to a retracted position.
 14. The electrical device cover of claim 13, wherein the first end of the flexible element and the window are both coupled to the lid face by heat staking.
 15. The electrical device cover of claim 14, wherein the window is immediately adjacent the flexible element and the lid ring is on an opposing side of the flexible element and the heat staking of the lid face and the flexible element also includes heat staking of the lid.
 16. The electrical device cover of claim 13, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to the base by a hinge biased to a closed position.
 17. The electrical device cover of claim 13, wherein the window is flexible.
 18. An electrical device cover configured for mounting over an electrical device, the electrical device cover comprising: a base comprising an opening large enough to receive the electrical device; a lid comprising a transparent or translucent window; a flexible element coupled to the lid and the base; and a cord port in a corner of a surface of the cover between the lid and the base; wherein the flexible element is configured to expand to an expanded position and accommodate an electrical connector coupled with the electrical device with the lid closed over the base, and to retract to a retracted position.
 19. The electrical device cover of claim 18, wherein the lid comprising a lid ring hingedly coupled to the base, the flexible element coupled to the lid ring and a lid face, the expansion of the flexible element causing the lid face to expand away from the lid ring.
 20. The electrical device cover of claim 19, wherein the window is immediately adjacent the flexible element and a lid ring is on an opposing side of the flexible element and the window, the lid face, the flexible element and the lid ring are all heat staked together. 